PWTorch Specialist Roundtable Question 1/24: On Monday's Raw, which did WWE do a better job of - selling the Royal Rumble PPV or hyping next week's Raw (Laurinaitis possibly being "fired" and Triple H's return)?

Jon Mezzera, PWTorch specialist

After giving it some thought, I would have to say the Royal Rumble got better hype than next week's Raw. After all, much of what happens on next week's Raw hinges on what happens at the Rumble.

I believe WWE has done a poor job of hyping the Rumble match itself. I love the "by the numbers" annual video on the Rumble, but WWE has not done a good enough job of having participants in the Rumble talk about it. There was a little from Sheamus and Wade Barrett, but not nearly enough. However, Chris Jericho finally speaking and promising that Sunday would be "the end of the world as we know it" was a good hook. Plus, we found out that Mick Foley will be in the Rumble after all.

They have done a pretty good job of hyping Punk vs. Ziggler and the angle with Laurinaitis possibly being fired on Raw depends on his actions in that match. Cena took one more step towards embracing his hate and the fans should want to see him get his hands on Kane. WWE could have done a better job with all three of the big attractions for the PPV, but they still did a better job with that than next week's Raw. (Read Mezzera's Hits & Misses column after each week's Raw and Smackdown episode.)

Jon Cudo, PWTorch specialist

The Cena-Kane angle is getting the most TV time and attention, and, if you enjoy C-rate acting, it's really clicking. Dolph-Punk has been solid and interesting. I like that it's pulling in characters like the Raw GM, Mick Foley, and Jack Swagger to help sharpen the focus while also giving the characters a chance to define who they are and act naturally within this story. That various Superstars have been used across different stories and allowed to act in a way consistent with their own characters successfully lately has been understated in WWE.

However, in a short and concise way, I thought the Rumble hype video was the most effective. Fans know what the Rumble is and the storylines within the Rumble are more fun when they unfold organically in front of your eyes. The hype states it is a unique and must-see spectacle...which it is. I might like to know who is in it, but the history of the event is a clear indication that top-tier stars will all be involved, along with surprises, and the result will matter. Anything else would be more than you need to hear.

Next week's Raw doesn't need a special hook; it should draw to see how the Rumble results will set the course for WrestleMania. So, of course, WWE is using the "ratings hook" of a Triple H return. (Read Cudo's True-False-TBD column mid-week.)

Shane McKinley, PWTorch Absurd specialist

To me, the next Raw seems to have more funk in it. I don't believe there's anything really noteworthy about this year’s Royal Rumble PPV for fans. Thankfully, it’s a 30-man Rumble this year (last year’s 40-man test run was a tiring affair). Despite how jaded fans can be, the Royal Rumble PPV holds a soft spot in our squishy hearts for the (hopefully) surprises and the big answer to the big question of “Who’s going to WrestleMania?"

Cena and Kane will battle for Cena’s soul in the fires of Mordoor - it’s all seriously dramatic and stuff. It’s not C.M. Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler, it’s Punk vs. John Laurinaitis. Sure, Ziggy is not that over, but some people want this future World champion to be handled differently, not just be portrayed as another generic guy who's this close to being an afterthought (example: Miz). And, this year’s Rumble has no real story behind it. Could Mick Foley win it all? Will Kharma show up? Will Chris Jericho even acknowledge he’s a wrestler in a wrestling match? Will somebody finally call Brodus Clay’s momma? That’s about it.

The writing is on the proverbial wall for Big Johnny. His character demands somebody who can be a Vince McMahon subwoofer, growling like the devil. Instead, he's a dinky transmitter radio. Sometimes I have to strain hard to hear what Johnny is saying. Perception is reality, and when Johnny talks, the perception I get is that he's just not suited for this type of role. Consider me potentially glum for Triple H’s return. His whole “Walk-out/John Laurinaitis mind games” storyline was one of the worst WWE storylines of 2011. With Hunter involved, I usually feel apprehensive about how things will play out. Basically, all I want Trips doing next Monday is something for WrestleMania, like staring at the Dead Man’s eyes for an ungodly long time. (Read McKinley's regular Absurdity of it All column.)

Anthony Beckingham, PWTorch specialist

I think WWE did a better job of hyping the PPV rather than next week's Raw. I base this on how much emphasis was put, from beginning to the end of the show, on the Punk-Laurinaitis dynamic and how it related to him being a special guest referee. Also, there was some of the most consistent and focused follow up on an injury that WWE has done in a long time (Kane attacking Ryder and Cena feeling guilty), maybe since the Nexus beat downs. The only thing I can think of coming close to it on a weekly show is Kevin Nash's attack of Triple H.

Strangely, the only thing I didn't feel was hyped was the Royal Rumble match, itself, which really is the big seller of this event. That match makes this PPV my girlfriend's favourite of the year, even over WrestleMania, and it was only paid lip service to by Sheamus and R-Truth. That aside, I definitely thought the focus was on the PPV with only a two-minute teaser at the end of the show focusing on next week's Raw. Also, I found the dovetailing between the two (how Laurinaitis's actions at the PPV will influence what happens on Raw) strangely inventive for the WWE writers. Synergy seems to be wrestling's buzzword in 2012. (Read Beckingham's regular Shimmer DVD series reviews.)

Check back for Part 3 on Thursday!

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